The Vermont attorney general says two police officers were justified in shooting a Middlebury man during an exchange of gunfire behind his rural home last fall.

Police said 57-year-old George Demarais said he wanted to commit "suicide by cop" and fired at them when they found him on a steep slope behind his home on Oct. 4, 2012. Authorities say when a Middlebury police officer ordered him to show his hands, Demarais fired at the officer, instead. Two officers shot back, killing Demarais.